It was one for celebration. It was one for reflection.
Yesterday, in Sunrise, Florida, Ottawa Senators Captain Daniel Alfredsson performed his 1000th sport.

Okay, significantly. Where did a thousand video games go The place did the past fifteen years goWow. Does not appear like that long ago that I used to be a twelve-12 months-previous child, becoming a member of the ranks of the Sens Military. Again then, it wasn’t about Alfie for me. Again then, it was about this different guy, Wade Redden. (You may need heard me point out him before..)

But now, Redden’s gone. Almost all of the guys who as soon as composed the core of this workforce are gone.
However one stays. The one who now, actually, is the core of this group.

Daniel Alfredsson had already been in a Sens uniform for awhile by the point I pledged my allegiance to the Senators within the Spring of 1997, the primary 12 months they made the playoffs. He had already won the Calder Trophy for Rookie of the 12 months. He was already an integral a part of a staff that was lastly dragging itself out of the humiliating depths of the NHL basement and creating into probably the most profitable clubs in the league for years to come back.

15 years later, he has much more to be happy with. For one factor – what number of guys get to play one thousand video games for one group, not to mention a thousand games at all He is dealt with harm issues. He’s been down and out. Yet, he’s persevered. And now he’s extra than just the captain of the Senators. Greater than only a key figure locally.

Daniel Alfredsson is the face of the staff. He’s the Ottawa Senators.
When Alfie got here here as a 22-12 months-old from Sweden, he introduced along his girlfriend at the time, Bibi Backman. She is now his wife, and they have three boys, Hugo, Loui, two toned ombre hair and Fenix, all born in Ottawa. In a tribute to Alfredsson’s 1000th recreation within the Ottawa Citizen on the weekend, Bibi stated that back when she followed her boyfriend here to assist him, she by no means expected to stay in Ottawa for long. But now, even after her husband retires, probably in a couple of years’ time, she says they seemingly will keep right here, because it truly has change into home.

As a fan of the club, this milestone for Alfredsson stirs emotions of great delight & nostalgia. There are so many moments; so many recollections; so many ups and downs.

It’s unimaginable to recount them all, but for sure, the biggest excessive for me was when he scored in opposition to Buffalo in OT of Game 5 of the Jap Conference Finals to send the Senators to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in fashionable franchise history. That aim was a special second for Sens followers. It was higher than making the playoffs for the primary time, higher than getting past the first round for the primary time – the only factor that could possibly be better could be winning the Cup.

The truth that Alfie scored it made it much more magical.
He is been there with arms raised for the perfect instances; he is remained robust, regular and fixed by the dangerous instances. I actually hope that, before they raise his #11 to the rafters right here in Ottawa, which they undoubtedly will do, that he has the chance to win that elusive, coveted prize – the Stanley Cup. He is already finished every thing else, profitable along with his homeland Sweden on the world stage, together with a Gold medal from the 2006 Olympic Video games in Turin. All he wants now could be hockey’s Holy Grail.

We have cheered him. We have laughed at his hair. The Leaf fans have booed him relentlessly (which he takes as a compliment, by the best way). We’ve cheered him even more durable after they do.